St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCTGroundbreaking news has struck the music industry as we know it. The famous couple, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne excitedly announced the tour dates of their 12th annual Ozzfest. They also announced the new name for their concert this summer, “FreeFest.” That’s right, both the Osbournes and the tour producer have agreed to pull the plug on ticket prices.
For those of you who don’t know, Ozzfest is a concert in which the Osbournes have held for the past 12 years. It is a 25-date extravaganza of metal bands performing for thousands of fans. This concert is the most popular among the metal rockers. It always attracts millions of kids, teenagers and adults to the show every year.
Ozzfest, now known as “FreeFest,” is starting off this year on July 12 in Seattle, Wash. Then after traveling all throughout the United States, it will end on Aug. 30 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“For the past 11 years, music fans have made Ozzfest the most successful and enduring rock music festival in the United States. What better way to say ‘thank you’ to the music fans who have made this possible than inviting them to attend it this year for free!” Jason Garner, Live Nation president of North American Concerts, said.
“This is awesome. Concerts are always so expensive especially this one. Whenever artists do something like this for the fans, it shows they really care about us,” Amanda Murphy, a senior business administration major, said.
Each year fans have realized how prices keep going up for tickets of Ozzfest.
“I’ve gone every year except for last year. I just couldn’t afford it. The prices were raised to about $80,” Tom Fairman, a junior business major at Arcadia University, said.
According to Sharon this is the main reason in which it is FreeFest this year.
“Ticket prices have steadily climbed as artists demand more and more money for the tours. We certainly want everybody to make money, however we also want the kids to be able to afford to come out and have an incredible experience,” Sharon Osbourne said, explaining their reasoning behind the FreeFest, according to the concert Web site.
So many may ask where the Osbournes are getting these bands who want to perform for free. According to the couple, they have committed bands they can rely on. They are also hoping that maybe after announcing this exciting news, more bands will want to be a part of the free tour. Also they are welcoming the bands who don’t necessarily sign up for the whole tour to do a few shows if they are in the area and want the rush of performing in front of thousands of adoring fans. They may not be making any money by performing but they can also sell their band’s t-shirts, CDs, posters or whatever else they may have.
Fans will also be excited to hear that Ozzy Osbourne himself will be making it to the main stage to unveil new songs from his forthcoming album, his newest album since 2001.
“This is such a great opportunity for young kids who can’t afford this concert usually, to actually see the legend and be apart of the experience for free,” Kelly Hornbach, a sophomore elementary and special education major, said.
To gain access to this event and have a ticket, one must go to www.ozzfest.com or www.livenation.com. This then will show you links that will directly connect you to the special event sites where tickets can be secured. More information will be released closer to concert date.
“This will change everybody’s impression of the way touring in the summer in America should be,” Osbourne said.
